200 Lincoln Ave., Salinas,
CA 93901
www.cityofsalinas.org
City of Salinas
Meeting Minutes - Unofficial
City Council
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Councilmembers:
Jose Luis Barajas, District 1 - Tony Barrera, District 2 Margaret D'Arrigo, District 3 - Gloria De La Rosa, District 4 Andrew Sandoval, District 5 - Aurelio Salazar, District 6 Rene Mendez, City Manager
Christopher A. Callihan, City Attorney
City Clerk’s Office: (831) 758-7381
4:00 PM SALINAS ROTUNDATuesday, September 23, 2025
TELECONFERENCE NOTICE
This meeting included teleconference participation by Councilmember Tony Barrera.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
ROLL CALL
Councilmember Jose Barajas
Councilmember Tony Barrera
Councilmember Margaret D'Arrigo
Councilmember Gloria De La Rosa
Councilmember Aurelio Salazar
Councilmember Jose Andrew Sandoval
Mayor Dennis Donohue
Present: 7 -
CLOSED SESSION
The City Council recessed to closed session at 4:03 p.m.
ID#25-410 a. Existing Litigation - California Government Code section 54956.9(a), conference with legal counsel regarding, Joshua Hostetter vs. City of Salinas, Workers’ Compensation Appeals Board Case Number(s): Unassigned. b. Labor Negotiations - California Government Code Section 54957.6 with its designated labor representatives Rene Mendez, City Manager; Lisa Murphy, Assistant City Manager; Christopher A. Callihan, City Attorney; Katherine Hogan, Assistant City Attorney; Selina Andrews, Finance Director; Marina Horta-Gallegos, Human Resources Director; Sylvia Enriquez, Human Resources Manager; and Che Johnson, Liebert Cassidy Whitmore, regarding labor relations with Service Employees International Union (SEIU), SEIU Supervisors, Salinas Municipal Employees Association/SEIU, Association of Management Personnel, Police Officers Association, Police Management Association, International Association of Firefighters, Fire Supervisors
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Association, Confidential Non-Management Employees, Confidential Management Employees, and Department Directors.
PUBLIC DISCLOSURE
Pursuant to California Government Code Section 54957.1, there were no reportable actions on closed session matters.
THE CITY COUNCIL RECONVENED IN THE ROTUNDA AT 5:00 P.M.
PROCLAMATIONS
The City Council proclaimed:
Stormwater Awareness Week, September 22-26, 2025
Code Enforcement Officer Appreciation Week, October 5-11, 2025 National Fire Prevention Week, October 5-11, 2025
GENERAL PUBLIC COMMENTS
Received public comment from members of the public in attendance.
CALIFORNIA GOVERNMENT CODE §84308 - LEVINE ACT
No disclosures reported.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
ID#25-383 Public meeting pursuant to Senate Bill 423 (SB 423) related to a proposed affordable housing project to be located at 467 and 479 East Market Street Received report from Senior Planner Thomas Wiles regarding Envision II, LLC PRE 2025-005 proposed construction of a 100% affordable, mixed-use residential development at 467 and 476 East Market Street. The Applicant also submitted a Notice of Intent to use Senate Bill 423 (SB 423) and Senate Bill 330 (SB 330) which streamline the approval of residential developments to facilitate the production of housing. A public meeting was scheduled pursuant to SB 423 and Government Code Section 65913.4(q)(1) to provide an opportunity for the public and the local government to comment on a future mixed-use development projects. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Cary Swensen
David Maisonneuve
Unidentified audience member
Mary Ann Worden
Chris
No action required. This is a public meeting pursuant to SB 423 to provide an opportunity for the public and City Council to comment on a proposed mixed-use development located at 467 and 479 East Market Street.
CONSIDERATION - 6:00 p.m.
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#25-384 Referendum Against Ordinance No. 2687; City Council Action on the Referendum (Elections Code Section 9241)
Received report from City Clerk Patricia Barajas regarding the On September 9, 2025, the City Council voted continue the City Council determination of the two options to September 23 to allow the two groups to continue to meet to come to a consensus regarding the Referendum Against Ordinance No. 2687 (Repeal Ordinance) related to the 4 rent-related ordinances. She added that on July 3, 2025 – Proponents of “Protect Salinas Renters 2026” filed a Referendum of the Repeal Ordinance and as City Clerk/Elections Official for the City of Salinas accepted the Referendum petition and transmitted the Petition to the Monterey County Registrar of Voters; on August 15, 2025 – Received the Monterey County Registrar of Voters Certificate of Signature Verification which qualified; on August 26, 2025 – Council approved Resolution acceding the Certificate of Signature Verification; September 9 – Continued matter to September 23, 2025. The City Council is presented with the following options: 1) repeal the Repeal Ordinance; or submit the Repeal Ordinance to the voters, either at the next regular municipal election; or at a special election called for that purpose, not less than 88 days after order of the City Council. Cost estimates are as follows: General Election - $7-10 per Registered Voter(70,635) $494,445 and $706,350; Special Election $16-24 per RV (70,635) $1,130,160 and $1,695,240. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public in attendance commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
David Maisonneuve
Alma Loredo, CCA, Protect Salinas Renters
Andrea Diaz, Centro Binacional
Bill Freeman
Ignacio Fragoso
Kathy Andersen
Eric Petersen
Amaya Barrios, CCA Youth for Change
Ashley Martinez, CCA Youth for Change
Columba Rios, CCA (JAV Language Solutions)
Eric Phelps
Nelson Vega
Alex Avila
Mac Alberts
Kari Appling
Unidentified audience member
Cary Swensen
Rose Clark
Savino Lopez, CCA (JAV Language Solutions)
Jeff Davi
Unidentified audience member
Jacob Sandoval
Mark
Michael Lipe
Maria Chavez
Kevin Newman
Skylar Spear
Amy Salmina
Karla Lobo
Paula Pelot
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial MOTION
Motion made by Mayor Donohue to Repeal the Repeal Ordinance 2687, motion was second by Councilmember Barajas.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION
Motion made by Councilmember Sandoval, second by Councilmember Salazar, to submit the repeal ordinance to the voters at the next General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026.
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Salazar, Resolution directing staff to submit the repeal ordinance to the voters at the next General Municipal Election on November 3, 2026 was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar and Councilmember Sandoval
4 -
Noes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera and Mayor Donohue3 -
Enactment No: RES 23325
PUBLIC HEARINGS
ID#25-404 Resolution To Levy Salinas United Business Association (SUBA) FY 2025-2026 Annual Assessment
This item been continued indefinitely. No discussion or action on this item.
ID#25-310 HUD Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report for FY 2024-25
Received repot from Planning Manager Francisco Brambila regarding the CAPER report which provides a comprehensive summary of expenditures, activities, and accomplishments for each of the City’s HUD programs for the past fiscal year. The report also serves as a mechanism and opportunity for public evaluation regarding the City’s progress in carrying out goals and objectives as stated in the FY 2020-24 Consolidated Plan (Con Plan) and FY 2024-25 Annual Action Plan (AAP). Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Jose Guerra
Upon motion by Councilmember Barrera, seconded by Councilmember Sandoval, Resolution affirming the Fiscal Year 2024-25 Consolidated Annual Performance and Evaluation Report (CAPER) and authorizing submittal to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue
7 -
Enactment No: RES 23331
ID#25-363 Public Hearing for Sanitary Sewer Rate Increase Adoption
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Received report from City Engineer Adriana Robles regarding the sanitary sewer rate increase adoption. She reported that on July 1, 2025, City Council received an updated Sewer Rate Study and Sewer Rate Schedule and public hearing notices were distributed in accordance with Proposition 218 and a public hearing was set for the proposed sewer rate increase for September 23, 2025. A total of 34,537 public hearing notices were mailed to property owners and ratepayers. Monterey One Water reports a total of 31,903 Salinas ratepayers. The City Clerk confirmed that less than a majority of the City’s sewer ratepayers (50%+1) or 15,952 Salinas ratepayers provided written protests by the end of the Public Hearing. The new sewer rates will go into effect on October 1, 2025. Report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
David Maisonneuve
Peter Szalai
David Cortez
Unidentified audience member
Jose Guerra
Mayra Hernandez
Joan Bennett
Upon motion by Councilmember D'Arrigo, seconded by Councilmember De La Rosa, Resolution adopting the Sanitary Sewer Rates for 2025-2030 based on the Sewer Rate Schedule, provided there is no majority protest against the proposed sewer rates and work with Monterey One Water to address the concerns regarding the sewer rate based on usage structure was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember Barrera, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Noes: Councilmember Sandoval1 -
Enactment No: RES 23332
CONSIDERATION
ID#25-397 Residential Sewer Payment Assistance Program
Received report from City Engineer Adriana Robles regarding the residential swere payment assistance program. She reported that a sewer rate study was conducted in collaboration with City consultants. The study recommended sewer rate increases over a 5-year period to meet the City of Salinas wastewater enterprise program operational and maintenance cost needs and sewer system improvements. At multiple meetings, City Council expressed concerns about the impact that the proposed sewer rate increases could have on lower income households. Staff presented recommendations for a Residential Sewer Payment Assistance Program (the “Program”) that provides a 15% discount to qualifying income levels for certain ratepayers. Report field with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Unidentified audience member
Jose Guerra
Joan Bennett
Upon motion by Councilmember Barajas, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution establishing the City of Salinas Residential Sewer Payment Assistance
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial Program was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No: RES 23333
ID#25-412 Award of FY 2025-26 Community Sponsorship
Councilmember Barajas announced he will not be participating in the sponsorship discussion or vote for Salinas Valley Pride as he is a member of their board and requested the City Council consider the sponsorship for the other agencies on the list separately so that he may participate.
Received report from Assistant to the City Manager Jose Arreola regarding the award of the FY 2025-26 Community Sponsorships. He reported that City received 37 applications totaling $1,062,263 in funding requests. With requests out pacing funding availability, the ratings team had to balance impact and number of awards in the recommended selections. To maximize impact and total number of awards, in some instances the ratings team is recommending awarding a lower amount than that requested from some of the organizations; the rating team determined that those organizations would still be able to hold their proposed program, which would free up funding to support additional community programs proposed by other organizations. Organizations recommended for award a listed in Exhibit A totaling $150,000. Exhibit A and staff report filed with the City Clerk as the official record.
The following members of the public commented on the report:
Eric Petersen
Jose Guerra
Jonathan De Anda
MOTION
Motion made by Councilmember Sandoval, second by Councilmember Salazar, the City Council moved to approve the community sponsorship award to Salinas Valley Pride in the amount of $5,000. Motion passed by the following votes: AYES: Councilmembers:
D'Arrigo, De La Rosa, Salazar, Sandoval, and Mayor Donohue. NOES: None. ABSENT:
Councilmembers Barajas and Barrera.
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember Salazar, Resolution awarding community sponsorships for FY 2025-2026, pursuant to the City's Community Sponsorship Policy, to those Applicants recommended by the City's rating team with the exception of the award to Salinas Valley Pride which was voted on separately was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No: RES 23334; RES 23335
CONSENT AGENDA
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial ID#25-394 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, the minutes of August 26, 2025 were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
ID#25-415 Minutes
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, the minutes of September 9, 2025 were approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
ID#25-360 Amendment 1 to the Salinas Intermodal Transportation Center Memorandum of Understanding
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution approving Amendment 1 to the Salinas Intermodal Transportation Center Memorandum of Understanding with the Transportation Agency for the Monterey County and Monterey-Salinas Transit District was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No: 23336
ID#25-382 Surplus Vehicles and Equipment for Disposal
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution pursuant to Salinas Municipal Code section 12-15 declaring vehicles and equipment surplus and authorizing their disposal was approved.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No:
ID#25-398 Acceptance of 2026 Office of Traffic Safety (OTS) Grant Awards Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution authorizing the acceptance of 2026 OTS Grants - the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the amount of $85,000, the Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) Grant in the amount of
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial $195,000; and establish the related grant appropriations and expense budgets to support grant activities was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No: RES 23338; RES 23339
ID#25-399 1ST Amendment to the Lease with LAZ Parking for 3 Station Place Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution authorizing the Mayor to sign the 1st Amendment to the lease agreement between the City of Salinas and LAZ Parking California, LLC for the City-owned property located at 3 Station Place was approved. The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No: RES 23340
ID#25-405 Sale of City-Owned Property to the Monterey County Office of Education; Declaration of Exempt Surplus Land
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution declaring 342 Front St. and 323 California St. exempt surplus land no longer needed by the City, approving a Purchase and Sale Agreement to sell the properties to the Monterey County Office of Education in the amount of $2,500,000, and authorizing the Mayor to execute the agreement was approved.
The motion carried by the following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No: RES 23341
ID#25-406 An Ordinance Amending Articles III and IIIA of Chapter 12 (Finance) of the Salinas Municipal Code Regarding Purchasing
Introduced an ordinance updating Article III and Article IIIA of Chapter 12 of the Salinas Municipal Code related to purchasing policies and procedures.
ID#25-407 Amendment to Memorandum of Understanding for Association of Management Personnel of Salinas
Upon motion by Councilmember Sandoval, seconded by Councilmember D'Arrigo, Resolution amending the Association of Management Personnel of Salinas (AMPS) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to extend the current City contribution for health premiums through December 31, 2026; and authorizing an increase in the corresponding health benefit appropriations within the respective funds in an amount up to $43,000 was approved. The motion carried by the
September 23, 2025City Council Meeting Minutes - Unofficial following vote:
Ayes: Councilmember Barajas, Councilmember D'Arrigo, Councilmember De La Rosa, Councilmember Salazar, Councilmember Sandoval and Mayor Donohue 6 -
Absent: Councilmember Barrera1 -
Enactment No: RES 23342
COUNCILMEMBERS’ REPORTS, APPOINTMENTS AND FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 10:18 p.m.